About Me

Australian philosopher, literary critic, legal scholar, and professional writer. Based in Newcastle, NSW. Author of FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND THE SECULAR STATE (2012), HUMANITY ENHANCED (2014), and THE MYSTERY OF MORAL AUTHORITY (2016).

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Judge for yourself

Here's Richard Dawkins' piece on Christopher Hitchens which got him (Dawkins) labelled as an "hysterical" writer by Mark Vernon.

I don't see the hysteria. I see some snark. I see some passion. I see carefully controlled variations of tone - with plenty of wry humour (some of it just a bit bleak or bitter) that then segues into solemn praise for a man whom Dawkins clearly respects and admires. Is there just a touch of hero worship, as in the reference to Hitchens' Richard-Burton-like voice? Perhaps. Is it really out of place in the circumstances? Well, judge for yourself. But look, Hitchens is fucking dying. Dawkins' friend is dying.

For my money, it would be petty, even churlish, to complain about anything in Dawkins' short piece.

Really, has Vernon no decency? No compassion? Does he have no humanity?